http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 06:12:56 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 06:12:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/critics-claim-german-eurovision-entry-is-a-rip-off-a-884017.html#ref=rss Germany has a new plagiarism scandal: The German entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest has been panned by critics not only as out-of-date eurotrash, but also as a rip-off of last year's winning song. The broadcaster responsible for the country's participation is examining the claims. Mon, 18 Feb 2013 11:44:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/critics-claim-german-eurovision-entry-is-a-rip-off-a-884017.html Germany has a new plagiarism scandal: The German entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest has been panned by critics not only as out-of-date eurotrash, but also as a rip-off of last year's winning song. The broadcaster responsible for the country's participation is examining the claims.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/baku-s-victory-against-eurovision-song-contest-politicization-a-835575.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan's pledges to respect human rights ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest turned out to be largely superficial, despite widespread international criticism. But organizers also failed to ensure that their democratic values were upheld, avoiding conflict for the sake of a good party. Mon, 28 May 2012 16:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/baku-s-victory-against-eurovision-song-contest-politicization-a-835575.html Azerbaijan's pledges to respect human rights ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest turned out to be largely superficial, despite widespread international criticism. But organizers also failed to ensure that their democratic values were upheld, avoiding conflict for the sake of a good party.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/homophobia-rampant-in-eurovision-host-country-azerbaijan-a-835265.html#ref=rss The Eurovision Song Contest has a massive gay following. But homophobia is rife in this year's host country, Azerbaijan, where gays and lesbians have to keep a low profile and fear violent attacks. Even so, locals say that gay Eurovision fans traveling to Baku needn't fear for their safety -- because the regime doesn't want any trouble. Fri, 25 May 2012 14:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/homophobia-rampant-in-eurovision-host-country-azerbaijan-a-835265.html The Eurovision Song Contest has a massive gay following. But homophobia is rife in this year's host country, Azerbaijan, where gays and lesbians have to keep a low profile and fear violent attacks. Even so, locals say that gay Eurovision fans traveling to Baku needn't fear for their safety -- because the regime doesn't want any trouble.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tehran-protests-eurovision-gay-parade-in-baku-a-834709.html#ref=rss Preparations for the first semi-final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday were overshadowed by a diplomatic row between host country Azerbaijan and its neighbor Iran. The latter recalled its ambassador over accusations that Baku was planning an accompanying "gay parade." Wed, 23 May 2012 15:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tehran-protests-eurovision-gay-parade-in-baku-a-834709.html Preparations for the first semi-final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday were overshadowed by a diplomatic row between host country Azerbaijan and its neighbor Iran. The latter recalled its ambassador over accusations that Baku was planning an accompanying "gay parade." ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/organizer-defends-decision-to-host-eurovision-song-contest-in-baku-a-832456.html#ref=rss Ingrid Deltenre heads the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan, a country widely criticized for human rights violations, at the end of May. In a SPEIGEL interview she defends the choice of the controversial location and warns that politicizing the contest could kill it. Thu, 10 May 2012 17:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/organizer-defends-decision-to-host-eurovision-song-contest-in-baku-a-832456.html Ingrid Deltenre heads the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan, a country widely criticized for human rights violations, at the end of May. In a SPEIGEL interview she defends the choice of the controversial location and warns that politicizing the contest could kill it. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-accuses-germany-of-media-smear-campaign-a-830962.html#ref=rss German television stations and newspapers have been reporting extensively on human rights abuses in Azerbaijan ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest there. Now Baku has accused "certain circles" in Germany of orchestrating a media campaign of slander and deceit against the country. Wed, 02 May 2012 15:28:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-accuses-germany-of-media-smear-campaign-a-830962.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eurovision-song-contest-highlights-abuses-in-azerbaijan-a-830649.html#ref=rss On the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest, scrutiny of host Azerbaijan is increasing, particularly the country's human rights record. A confidential German Foreign Ministry report, which SPIEGEL has seen, criticizes "state repression" in the country. Wed, 02 May 2012 12:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eurovision-song-contest-highlights-abuses-in-azerbaijan-a-830649.html On the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest, scrutiny of host Azerbaijan is increasing, particularly the country's human rights record. A confidential German Foreign Ministry report, which SPIEGEL has seen, criticizes "state repression" in the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/baku-residents-forcibly-removed-from-homes-for-development-projects-a-826207.html#ref=rss Baku, set to host the Eurovision Song Contest in just over a month, is rapidly trying to become a modern city. To do so, it is forcibly removing residents from their homes to make way for slick new skyscrapers and other development projects. Those who try to stay bear the brunt of the government's wrath. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:56:31 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/baku-residents-forcibly-removed-from-homes-for-development-projects-a-826207.html Baku, set to host the Eurovision Song Contest in just over a month, is rapidly trying to become a modern city. To do so, it is forcibly removing residents from their homes to make way for slick new skyscrapers and other development projects. Those who try to stay bear the brunt of the government's wrath.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-targets-press-freedoms-ahead-of-eurovision-song-contest-a-824634.html#ref=rss They are frequently harassed, sometimes beaten and even filmed while having sex: The risks to journalists in Azerbaijan are many. Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest, the authoritarian government in Baku has shown no signs of relenting. The country's opposition says foreign journalists should beware. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-targets-press-freedoms-ahead-of-eurovision-song-contest-a-824634.html They are frequently harassed, sometimes beaten and even filmed while having sex: The risks to journalists in Azerbaijan are many. Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest, the authoritarian government in Baku has shown no signs of relenting. The country's opposition says foreign journalists should beware.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/westerwelle-says-song-contest-should-be-forum-for-promoting-civil-rights-a-821261.html#ref=rss The Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan this year should be used as a forum for promoting civil rights in that country, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Wednesday. The same should apply to Ukraine, which will co-host the European football championship and is under fire for jailing Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister, he added. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:29:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/westerwelle-says-song-contest-should-be-forum-for-promoting-civil-rights-a-821261.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-s-eurovision-activists-hope-contest-will-improve-human-rights-a-813822.html#ref=rss While the Azerbaijani government hopes to burnish its image by hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in May, civil rights activists are struggling to draw more attention to the country's human rights violations. Standing uncomfortably in the middle are the organizers of this supposedly "apolitical" event. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/azerbaijan-s-eurovision-activists-hope-contest-will-improve-human-rights-a-813822.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-dictator-s-dream-azerbaijan-seeks-to-burnish-image-ahead-of-eurovision-a-806769.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan will play host to this year's Eurovision Song Contest. In the run-up to Europe's largest television event, the authoritarian regime has launched a campaign to improve its image. German PR experts, lobbyists and politicians across the spectrum are playing a role in those efforts. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:14:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-dictator-s-dream-azerbaijan-seeks-to-burnish-image-ahead-of-eurovision-a-806769.html Azerbaijan will play host to this year's Eurovision Song Contest. In the run-up to Europe's largest television event, the authoritarian regime has launched a campaign to improve its image. German PR experts, lobbyists and politicians across the spectrum are playing a role in those efforts. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/powerful-pipes-and-pipelines-can-eurovision-burnish-azerbaijan-s-image-a-762622.html#ref=rss Azerbaijan, the largest country in the Caucasus region, won the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Saturday night. The next event in 2012 will bring an often forgotten country, which has seen its fortunes rise in recent years due to its plentiful natural resources, into the spotlight -- as well as its human rights blemishes and democratic deficiencies.   Sun, 15 May 2011 00:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/powerful-pipes-and-pipelines-can-eurovision-burnish-azerbaijan-s-image-a-762622.html Azerbaijan, the largest country in the Caucasus region, won the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Saturday night. The next event in 2012 will bring an often forgotten country, which has seen its fortunes rise in recent years due to its plentiful natural resources, into the spotlight -- as well as its human rights blemishes and democratic deficiencies.  ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/eurovision-goes-to-university-scholars-see-deeper-meaning-in-european-kitschfest-a-762165.html#ref=rss It is ridiculed in Britain, Germany and elsewhere, and is the butt of jokes about bad pop music. But a group of academics from across Europe say the Eurovision Song Contest is a "treasure trove" of European cultural history. It's time, they argue, for one of Europe's genuinely unifying events to be taken seriously. Fri, 13 May 2011 15:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/eurovision-goes-to-university-scholars-see-deeper-meaning-in-european-kitschfest-a-762165.html It is ridiculed in Britain, Germany and elsewhere, and is the butt of jokes about bad pop music. But a group of academics from across Europe say the Eurovision Song Contest is a "treasure trove" of European cultural history. It's time, they argue, for one of Europe's genuinely unifying events to be taken seriously.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-end-of-innocence-how-much-lena-is-too-much-lena-a-762152.html#ref=rss She was cute, charming and wildly successful. In 2010, Lena Meyer-Landrut won the Eurovision Song Contest for Germany. Now she's back to defend her title. But after a year of constant media exposure, she's not the same Lena she once was. Which might not be a bad thing. Thu, 12 May 2011 17:18:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-end-of-innocence-how-much-lena-is-too-much-lena-a-762152.html She was cute, charming and wildly successful. In 2010, Lena Meyer-Landrut won the Eurovision Song Contest for Germany. Now she's back to defend her title. But after a year of constant media exposure, she's not the same Lena she once was. Which might not be a bad thing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/eurovision-song-contest-2011-a-legion-of-lenas-hope-to-challenge-the-original-a-761543.html#ref=rss Germany hopes to duplicate last year's Eurovision Song Contest victory by sending bubbly Lena Meyer-Landrut to the stage for a second time. But other countries are also trying to harness her winning formula. A number of contestants bear an undeniable resemblance to the wide-eyed pop starlet. Tue, 10 May 2011 11:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/eurovision-song-contest-2011-a-legion-of-lenas-hope-to-challenge-the-original-a-761543.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/gay-s-day-of-action-eurovision-typos-have-organizers-scrambling-for-sharpies-a-759494.html#ref=rss A "Gay's Day of Action"? "Wielcome to Düsseldorf"? A slew of typos in the official Eurovision brochure have organizers rushing to make last minute corrections. But at least one of the errors seems likely to go unnoticed. Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/gay-s-day-of-action-eurovision-typos-have-organizers-scrambling-for-sharpies-a-759494.html A "Gay's Day of Action"? "Wielcome to Düsseldorf"? A slew of typos in the official Eurovision brochure have organizers rushing to make last minute corrections. But at least one of the errors seems likely to go unnoticed.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/behind-the-scenes-in-duesseldorf-germany-preparing-to-host-perfect-eurovision-song-contest-a-758888.html#ref=rss Germany is finalizing preparations to host its biggest show since the World Cup -- the Eurovision Song Contest, which is expected to attract 100 million TV viewers worldwide. Public broadcaster ARD wants to portray a new, confident Germany that's ready to have a good time. Will it live up to the 2006 event? Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/behind-the-scenes-in-duesseldorf-germany-preparing-to-host-perfect-eurovision-song-contest-a-758888.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/lena-vs-lena-german-eurovision-champion-to-compete-against-herself-a-735103.html#ref=rss Germans fell in love with Lena in 2010 when she emerged victorious from the extravaganza of pop mediocrity which is the Eurovision Song Contest. This spring, they are sure to get their fill. Lena will defend her title -- but three primetime TV events are scheduled to decide what song she will sing. Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/lena-vs-lena-german-eurovision-champion-to-compete-against-herself-a-735103.html Germans fell in love with Lena in 2010 when she emerged victorious from the extravaganza of pop mediocrity which is the Eurovision Song Contest. This spring, they are sure to get their fill. Lena will defend her title -- but three primetime TV events are scheduled to decide what song she will sing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-reeperbahn-or-berlin-decision-expected-soon-on-eurovision-host-city-a-713219.html#ref=rss Hamburg and Berlin are locked in a heated competition to land next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The port city and its Reeperbahn red light district has long been the cultural home of Eurovision in Germany, but many see the country's capital as the likely choice. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:15:28 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-reeperbahn-or-berlin-decision-expected-soon-on-eurovision-host-city-a-713219.html Hamburg and Berlin are locked in a heated competition to land next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The port city and its Reeperbahn red light district has long been the cultural home of Eurovision in Germany, but many see the country's capital as the likely choice.]]>